~ Social Alchemy: There's Magic in here….

How To: Throw Your Wake BEFORE You Die

Hello friends, first off many apologies for being in hibernation for so long. After our last episode, you know mom’s health took a turn. But after much rest and the wonderful care she is receiving at her care home, she is on the mend. On New Year’s day, she announced that she wanted to have her wake before she dies. So I asked, what does that mean? She said, “I want to invite everyone we know to your house, and show them a good time. There should be good food, and good cheer.

Who could argue with her? We put our heads together and came up with a theme. Mom is a botanist so we decided to call it a Flower Power Party. We went through the mailing list, sent out the invitations and got the party started.

We rented a tent for the backyard, filled the house full of flowers and it wouldn’t be a party without music. The group Puamana, three beautiful women, lead by my friend and neighbor, Mihana Souza, serenaded mom with her favorite old time Hawaiian songs. We had Non deMello of Agnes Portuguese Bake Shop cater the event, and the food was fabulous. We couldn’t have asked for better weather. Here is a collection of photos from the party.

Flowers in the livingroom…

I went through our old family photos and made a wall display. The oldest photo of mom was taken back in 1939, when she was a teenager.

the photos are mounted in album sheets, so they can all go into an album after the party is over.

Our dog, Kona, waits at the front door, she knows the guests are about to arrive.

And they did, the guests arrived, everyone was so thrilled to see mom, and she was so happy to see them. There were friends from her work life, from when she first moved to Hawaii. We even had a couple friends who had just flown in for other reasons, but were so happy they could make it to mom’s party.

and mom got what she wanted, a house full of friends enjoying each others company.

Thanks Patricia, she is still carrying on. I took her to the doctor this morning for a regular visit. She weighs 91 pounds, fully clothed, but still wanted to go out shopping after the visit. We went to the park and enjoyed some time out doors.

I have mentioned your creative events to others as it relates to the concept, all have thought ‘what a grand idea!’

Should we all be so lucky to have an idea of when we may transition from this world.

My flower power plant is thriving on my lanai.

When I next see you, remind me to relay an NPR program I recently listened to; the theme was how to perfect plagiarism……good grief. Just what I want to do, send my son to college to learn how NOT to be creative.

Dear Rachel, I’m happy to know that *you* are back here writing. Reading about your dedication to helping your mother through perhaps the most difficult stage of any person’s life gives me hope that someone just as kind as you will help me reach my own . . . But please, good lady, take care of yourself, too.

Oh Anthony, I’m so touched. Thank you very much. Mom and I have had our ups and downs during this process, but at the end of the day, before I leave I always tell her I love her and she does the same. That’s all that matters. And it is my sincerest hope that you will have all the care you need, no matter how life turns out for you. I look forward to hearing from you again soon.

The New Social Alchemy

Social Alchemy: is my version of the digital salon. Where interesting ideas are bandied about, where opinions are appreciated. Where all that makes life interesting: art, creativity, writing, love, and compassion are explored in many facets. And it's also a place to come and relax. When you want to turn off the digital noise, kick back, relax, and just be yourself. Thank you so much for visiting.